The Fifth Wheel

cut or insult of some kind. Mrs. Sewall went out of her way to make occasion to meet and ignore me. It was necessary for her to go out of her way, for we didn't meet often by chance. I w

w, and of course it w

was far from pleasant. There was a feeling of constraint. There was nothing to talk about, either. Even my manicurist and hairdresser, usually so conversational about all the social ev

en, wounded illusions and bleeding ideals. Edith and I were both in the same boat, and we weren't pleasant traveling companions. I had never sailed with Edith under such baffling winds as we now encountered. Squalls, calms, and occasional storms we had experience

hour after hour, waiting, watching, noting with complete control the changes for better or for worse; sleeping scarcely at all; and always smiling quiet encouragement to Alec or to me when we would steal in upon her. Every one said she was marvelous-even the nurses and the doctor. It was as if she

down into the shaded pergola, and there we remained until nearly midnight. When I finally stole back to my room, I fo

stant I came in, "tell m

ing like sicknes

I said

, isn't that splendid! Really? H

," I

arm about me and

ttle kiddie, after all. You'll save the day! Trust you! You'll pull it off yet! Oh, I have been horrid, Ruth, this

putting out my light, Edith pushed open my door ag

ry in it. 'Twill make you sleep. You drink it, poor child-wonderful ch

t when he was able to steal away from the gaieties at Grassmere. For a week I spent long idle days in the garden, in my room, on

resent, and I did not disturb our evening talks by reproaches. I assumed a grand air of indifference toward Mrs. Sewall and her attacks, as if I was some invulnerable creature beyond and a

vinced that my strength lay in whatever charm I possessed for him, and I had no intention of injuring it by ill-timed complaints. I was attractive, alluring to him-more so than ever. I tried to be! Oh, I tried to be diplomatic, wise,

Breck's affection hastened my de

e to ride with him in his automobile. Today in the seat beside him, which had been of late so often mine,

d he had stretched out his arm as a sign to turn to the left, and had waved his hand without looking around. My face grew scarlet. What had I become? Why

to contempt for myself. That night Breck came stealing down to me along the dark roads in his quiet car about eleven-thirty. I knew he

garden," he pleaded. "I've

de the bird-bath and put a forefinger in it. I could hear Breck breathing

at last, calm

me silently,

t's so fearfully light.

. You've got to come. I'm not for waiting any longer. You've got to marry me tonight, you little fish! I'll wa

to strug

t to me. It's insult

ang around any longer. I'll marry you tonight or not at all! You needn't be afraid. I've got it all fixed up-license and everything." He whipped a paper

ly. "What do you think I am? Understand this, Breck. I

down. You know as well as I you've been leading me along as hard as you could for the last week. Good Lord-what for? Say, what's the game? I don't know. But listen-if you don't marry me now, then you never

traight into the house and upstairs to my room, knelt down before

rs again, ever-on-the-guard, Edith a

you after?

ox toward her. She came dow

to do with it?

back to

st. "You little fo

run off with him. He

ated, her eyes large.

ith on the step a

she re

t mean--"

round in time. They always do

an--" I stopped. Even in the dim light of the hall I sa

"everybody will think he threw you over. You'll si

or society; and you'd sell me too! But you can't-you can't! Let go my

ours. I've worked hard to establish ourselves in this place, and I've succeeded too. And now you come along, and look at the

er," I flashed out. "I sha

t, after you've jabb

said and pulled away

g to give it

irs, out of the door, across the porch, and i

the honor of your name with pride. Your mother's friendship would have been a happiness, but for no name, and for no woman's favor will I descend to a stolen marriage. You'

into his pocket, shrugged his shoulders, and in truly chivalrous fashion added, "Don't imag

magine it,"

le box-and she'll wear hers. You'll see." He produced a cigarette and lit it. "She's no fish," he

set, I cleared of every trace of me. I stripped the bed of its linen and left the mattress rolled over the foot-board in eloquent abandonment. The waste-basket bulged

phone in her not far distant university town. She came trotting cheerfully in to meet me. I told her my news; she t